Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy 2026: Carry-On Size, Fees, Pets

Southwest's carry-on limit is 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm), and wheels, handles and any attachments count toward it. Every ticketed passenger gets one carry-on plus one personal item at no charge, on all four fares. If your bag is over the limit, Southwest asks you to check it at the ticket counter before you head to the gate.

On itineraries that include a partner airline, Southwest says the partner's carry-on guidelines may differ.

No personal item dimensions appear on Southwest's current carry-on page or in its Contract of Carriage. The only rule is that the item fits under the seat in front of you. Southwest's examples are a purse or crossbody bag, briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow, blanket or small camera. Many sites still quote 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 in (41 x 34 x 20 cm), but we could not find that size on any current Southwest page.

Neck pillows don't count toward Southwest's carry-on limit.

No. Southwest publishes no carry-on weight limit on its carry-on page or in its Contract of Carriage. The check is size: 24 x 16 x 10 inches, measured with wheels and handles. Checked bags are where weight matters, starting at 50 lb (23 kg).

Basic passengers board last, in Group 8, but keep the same free carry-on and personal item as every other fare. Choice boards in Groups 3 to 7, Choice Preferred in Groups 3 to 4 and Choice Extra in Group 1. Choice Extra is the only fare that includes checked bags, two of them; Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred pay bag fees.

Basic seats are assigned at check-in, though A-List members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers may pick a seat earlier.

On U.S. mainland flights, the first checked bag costs $45 and the second $55 on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred tickets booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026. Tickets booked earlier keep the old $35 and $45 prices. A third bag or more costs $150 each. Between the Hawaiian Islands the fees are $30, $40 and $50, and Hawaii residents check two bags free when their Rapid Rewards number is on the booking.

Southwest first charged for checked bags on tickets booked on or after May 28, 2025.

A standard checked bag on Southwest can weigh up to 50 lb (23 kg) and measure up to 62 inches (157 cm) in length plus width plus height, wheels and handles included. Bags over 100 lb (45 kg) or 80 inches (203 cm) are not accepted as baggage at all. Each passenger can check no more than 20 pieces per flight.

$100 is the mainland charge for a bag weighing 51 to 70 lb, and $200 for 71 to 100 lb. An oversize bag of 63 to 80 inches costs $200. Southwest adds each of these to the standard bag fee. Interisland Hawaii flights charge less: $35 for oversize, $35 for 51 to 70 lb and $70 for 71 to 100 lb.

Six groups check at least one bag free on Southwest: - Choice Extra passengers get two free bags. - A-List Preferred members get two free bags, and so do up to eight other passengers on the same reservation. - A-List members get the first bag free for themselves and up to eight others, then pay $35 for the second. - Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers get the first bag free for themselves and up to eight others, if the Rapid Rewards number is on the booking. - Active-duty U.S. military with a valid ID pay no bag fees at all, including overweight and oversize charges. - Hawaii residents check two bags free on interisland flights.

Southwest extends A-List and cardmember bag benefits to as many as eight other passengers on the same reservation.

$125 per pet carrier is Southwest's in-cabin pet fee on mainland flights, or $35 between the Hawaiian Islands. Only small vaccinated cats and dogs at least 8 weeks old can fly, with up to two of the same species in one carrier and one carrier per ticketed passenger. The carrier can measure up to 18 x 10.5 x 10 inches (46 x 27 x 25 cm), and it counts as either your carry-on or your personal item. Southwest flies no pets in cargo, and pets can't travel on international flights or between the mainland and Hawaii.

Southwest sells its own 15 x 10 x 10 in (38 x 25 x 25 cm) pet carrier for $58.

Each ticketed passenger can check 1 stroller and 1 car seat free of charge, at the curb, the ticket counter or the gate. An FAA-approved car seat bought for your child can come on board without counting toward the carry-on limit. Portable cribs and pack-and-plays count as regular checked bags.